Ciao! My name is Alessia Romano, and if there is one thing you should know about me, it’s that I live and breathe pasta. I was born in a little town just outside Bologna, the heart of Emilia-Romagna, where the air always seems to carry the scent of simmering ragù. I’m 38 now, and I’ve spent most of my life chasing the perfect swirl of tagliatelle and the most delicate bite of ravioli.
Growing up, my earliest memories are of standing on a chair beside my nonna, watching her transform flour and eggs into magic. She would always say, “Pasta listens to love,” and I believed her. By the time I was ten, I could knead dough until it sang under my hands. That’s when I knew I wanted to dedicate my life to sharing this joy with the world.
I trained in classical Italian cuisine in Florence and later worked in restaurants in Rome and Milan, but my true passion has always been the humble, transformative art of pasta. I love teaching home cooks how to make their first silky sheets of lasagna as much as I enjoy challenging professional chefs to experiment with shapes and fillings they’ve never tried before. For me, pasta is not just food, it’s a story, a conversation, a way to connect.
One of my proudest moments was hosting a workshop where a group of complete beginners crafted their first hand-cut pappardelle. By the end of the night, the flour on their clothes was as thick as their smiles. Moments like that remind me why I do this.
My philosophy is simple: pasta should be playful, generous, and made with love. Whether it’s a rustic orecchiette tossed with fresh vegetables from the garden or a delicate agnolotti filled with truffle and ricotta, there’s a world of flavor waiting in every fold. And yes, I’ve had my disasters too, like the time I dropped an entire tray of tortellini right before service, but I’ve learned that even mistakes can lead to delicious discoveries.
If you’re ready to knead, roll, and twirl alongside me, I promise to guide you through the soulful world of Italian pasta, one dish at a time.